The future stars of the AFL Women’s League have been chosen in the first draft.

Today was the day. The first ever AFL Women’s draft picks were announced this afternoon in Melbourne and now we know finally who we’ll be cheering for when the home and away season kicks off in February.

As expected, Greater Western Sydney snared the number one pick, star-midfielder Nicola Barr, when they lead the selection after being pulled first in the ballot during Grand Final Week.

The 20-year-old started playing just three years ago but took home the 2016 Mostyn Medal — AFL Sydney Women’s Premier division best and fairest.

But the Sydney University student isn’t the only one you’ll want to keep your eye on.

Swans' Nicola Barr Swans contests the ball with Lael Kassem of the Giants during an exhibition match in April. Source: Getty

So how's does this thing even work?

The draft runs in a "snake" format, with each of the eight clubs choosing a player in order, which reverses at the end of each round of picks.

The Brisbane Lions had the second pick and chose half-back Emily Bates while forward Bianca Jakobsson was taken third by Carlton — which is a bit of a fairytale since it's also the club she barracks for in the AFL.

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Hayley Miller also went to Fremantle, Jaimee Lambert to the Western Bulldogs, Nicola Stevens to Collingwood, Ebony Marionoff went to Adelaide and Elise O’Dea to Melbourne in the first round.